Looking Ahead with Hope
Abdalnour Sami, a Moroccan, said: “Coronavirus has changed all my plans, both personal and professional. I even laughed because I had bought a diary for 2020. Can I return it to the shop and get one for 2021—or 2022? I have worked remotely in technical support and websites since 2009, so I am somewhat accustomed to it. But my physical presence has become necessary now that I am a trainer. I will say it plainly: the professional world is in digital chaos. It has eliminated a large number of jobs and sectors and created others. Only the open-minded have managed to keep pace through this shock. As the saying goes, ‘May hardship be rewarded, for through it I learned to distinguish my enemy from my friend.’ This crisis has revealed what a true friend is, and what a true pioneer is, as opposed to a greedy merchant concerned only with profit, even through deception, misrepresentation and falsification. We see this in food and health products, and in online training courses that now appear every two minutes, with another course between each course, offering no real benefit.
“It is true that distancing is the necessary precaution. But if life remains shut down like this, people will be left destitute and some countries will be wiped out. Life will resume out of necessity, not choice. Life is a powerful, commanding force that no one can stand against. Humanity will never stop, despite the deaths; we cannot. Life must continue, with compromises and sacrifices. Whatever happens, nothing can stand in life's way. It will continue even if only a few people remain to carry it forward. We should hope for the best while also expecting the worst. There are now rumours of another, more deadly wave. We do not know what this means: is it good for us, or a trial to test us? All we can do is turn back to God. This is a message to everyone: nothing endures except the countenance of the Lord of Majesty, exalted is He. Let each of us examine ourselves, for this is the final opportunity. The earth is close to laying down its burdens. If people do not take heed of this, what will make them take heed?”